iSyllabus One Year Diploma Course

Living faith through understanding

The iSyllabus introductory course is designed in a graded manner, with students being introduced to core ideas that are developed and carefully expanded as the course continues. By integrating and cross referencing the content of all modules, the experience is smooth and seamless.

An informed and coherent representation of the Islamic faith tradition has always been a condition of Islamic renaissance. The iSyllabus consists of modules that shed much needed light on the timeless principles that protect the Islamic faith from arbitrary and extremist distortions, while concurrently allowing the tradition the capacity of facing up to the demands of modern life.

The Modules

Below is a list of all the 15 modules that the iSyllabus course comprises of. Take a look at each of the modules and click through to find out more about what is taught.

The Laws of Purity and Prayer

The 'seeking purity' module provides students with an introduction to the laws relating to ritual purity in Islamic law. Students will be provided with a detailed insight into the theory and practice of how to attain ritual purity and the spiritual aspects of cleanliness, as well as focusing on modern issues that relate to taharah.

The first prayer module will provide students with an understanding of the theory and practice of prayer, examining the most important elements that make up daily worship. It will cover the preconditions necessary before one prays, as well as the pillars of the prayer, without which there is no prayer. The importance of performing the prayer, together with the necessary spiritual awareness that is at the core of heartfelt worship.

The second prayer module sets out the manner in which the prayer is perfected, focusing on the prophetic manner of praying. This includes case studies on prayer for women and the significance of the numerical reward given to the congregational prayer, as well as the benefits of sending salutations upon the Prophet and the night prayer vigil (tahajjud).

The third Prayer module will look at the theory and practice of the jum’ah and travelling prayer, with a case study on combining prayers. It will finish with practical considerations of what is done when someone dies, from the throes of death through to sending rewards of good actions to the deceased once they have been buried.

Towards a Tranquil Soul

The first module will allow students to understand the importance of the science of tazkiyyah (spiritual purification) and how it relates to us as humans. It will also allow students to appreciate how the word ‘qalb’ or ‘heart’ is used differently in various religious sources, and those factors that affect the spiritual health of the heart and the rest of the bodily limbs.

This follow-on to the first module will analyse the two different sources of the ailments of the heart (shubahat and shahawat) and help students realise why knowing this helps in the understanding of how to cure spiritual diseases. The various ailments that affect the spiritual heart will be pinpointed, with practical tips and techniques that will aid in their cure.

Understanding the Divine Sources

Entitled ‘Investigating the history, form and importance of the Qur’anic revelation’, this module introduces students to the status, history and nature of the Qur’an, the sacred book of Islam. Students will also be provided with an insight into those elements necessary for a clear contextual reading of the Qur’anic revelation, as well as the scholarly techniques required in the understanding of the Qur’an.

This module will give students access to in-depth original writing related to the importance, preservation and vocabulary of the hadith sciences, with particular emphasis on the era of the Companions. By examining how mainstream Muslim scholars have interacted with the vast hadith literature, it will provide an insightful and balanced understanding of this important source of Islamic knowledge.

The Fiqh of Time and Place

Entitled ‘Understanding the theory behind Islamic law in the modern age’, this module aims to give students a greater appreciation of the theoretical and practical dynamics involved in understanding Shari'ah law in the modern world. This will be done by observing the sources used in formulating authentic Islamic responses to contemporary issues.

Building on what has been learned in previous modules, this module gives students a behind-the- scenes insight into how scholars look at new issues. These case studies on modern issues explore how timeless principles are used and appropriated to address the major legal and ethical dilemmas of the day.

Articulating Muslim Belief

The first module provides students with an understanding of the key issues of Islamic creed (al-aqidah) related to the ‘testification of faith’ (al-Shahadah), as explained by the scholarly tradition of Sunni Islam. The Muslim belief in God will be explored, explaining how scholars have set out to preserve the unique oneness of God.

The second module will look in detail at how issues of creed are classified into what is essential and what is not. They will also see how this determines what Sunni Islam’s understanding of issues such as freewill and predestination, belief in the unseen, ‘Faith and the Community’ as well as the issue of ‘who is a Muslim?’.

Fulfilling ones Responsibility to Family and Society

Described as half of faith, marriage has provided a tried and tested foundation for a balanced and healthy society. Through this module, students will gain an appreciation of the workings of a successful marriage and household. It will cover the fiqh and etiquette of the marital bond, the laws of divorce, as well as the rights and responsibilities that this necessarily entails, clarifying many prevalent misunderstandings in family issues.

Having successfully completed the module ‘Understanding the law and spirituality of income & charity’, students should have an appreciation of the theory and practice of earning a pure and halal livelihood, as well as the sacred laws of Zakat and charity. They should also understand the issues related to those that are expressly eligible to receive Zakat and those who are not.

The Tradition of the Scholars

This module provides a snapshot into how Islamic knowledge is transmitted and preserved, observing how scholars of the past conserved the teachings of the Prophet through Islamic history, sitting at the feet of scholars and taking the prophetic inheritance directly, face to face.